Spanish Visa Translation Requirements for U.S. Citizens
If you are preparing official documents for Spain, this page explains what usually matters before you pay for a sworn translation. Requirements can vary by consulate, authority, and procedure, so use this as translation guidance and always check the current instructions from the receiving office.
U.S. citizens applying for Spanish visas commonly need sworn translations of non-Spanish official documents, especially background checks, apostilles, civil certificates, medical certificates, and financial or employment records when requested. Requirements vary by visa type and consulate, so always check the current instructions.
Alba can help with the sworn translation portion of the process. She does not provide legal or immigration advice.
What U.S. applicants usually translate
The most common U.S. documents that need sworn translation are those issued in English and submitted to a Spanish consulate or Spanish authority.
- FBI background check and apostille
- Birth and marriage certificates
- Medical certificates
- Employment letters or contracts
- Bank statements when required
- Academic records when required
What does not usually need translation
Passports, forms already completed in Spanish, and documents already issued in Spanish generally do not need sworn translation. Some bilingual or multilingual documents may still need review.
- Passport identity page
- Spanish application forms
- Documents already issued in Spanish
How to avoid delays
Work from the consulate checklist, gather the final versions of your documents, add apostilles where required, and then translate the complete document package.
- Check your consulate instructions
- Use final signed versions
- Do not translate before apostilles are added
- Send Alba the full file for page-count confirmation
Why work directly with Alba
Sworn Translation Spain is a small, specialist service, not a high-volume agency. Your translation is handled personally by Alba Fernández Carrasco, a Spain-appointed sworn translator-interpreter. The process is simple: send scanned files, receive a signed and stamped digital PDF, and pay after delivery.
- €37 per page standard sworn translation
- €55 per page for 12-hour rush service when available
- Digitally signed and stamped PDF delivery
- Scanned documents are enough in most cases
- Direct communication with Alba, not a middleman
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I send a scanned copy of my visa document?
Yes. In most cases, a clear scanned copy or digital PDF is enough for Alba to prepare the sworn translation. If a physical copy is ever needed, the receiving authority will usually say so.
How is the price calculated?
Pricing is calculated per page translated. Standard sworn translations are €37 per page, and 12-hour rush service is €55 per page when available.
Will Alba tell me the page count before starting?
Yes. Send the files and Alba will confirm which pages need translation and the expected price before preparing the translation.